Perennial Chic, Hamptons Social Hosts Summer Soiree at Grey Gardens Estate

Hamptons Social Magazine hosted a celebratory Summer Soirée in partnership with luxury fashion brand Figue to kick off the season.

Through the hedgerow door, approaching Grey Gardens Estate, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I was invited, but I will admit that I was as excited to attend as I was curious to see the famed property. Once I arrived, I knew I had arrived. I’ve always thought I had Big Edie Energy.

Grey Gardens Estate is the perfect setting for the Hamptons Social Magazine Summer Soiree—a mingling of legacy and contemporary chic, salt-kissed breezes, and summer sun—the epitome of elevated entertaining in the Hamptons. That’s not just on-brand for Hamptons Social; that is the Hamptons Social brand.

Lizabeth Zindel Wells, Erika Katz I Photo Credit: Alena Kostromina

The hosts and organizers, Lizabeth Zindel Wells, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Hamptons Social, and Erika Katz, Executive Editor, are experts in everything elevated about living in the Hamptons—that is to say, they know how to throw a party. Gracious, beautiful, and welcoming, they curated a genuinely once-in-a-lifetime experience and unforgettable evening. Hamptons Social Magazine is one of the most venerated luxury publications in the Hamptons because they don’t just write about luxury – they live luxury.

The stars—and the sun—aligned for the evening at Grey Garden. For the 2024 issue of Hamptons Social: The Summer Book on stands for July 4^th weekend, Lizabeth interviewed the current owner of Grey Gardens, Liz Lange, CEO and Creative Director of New York-based luxury ready-to-wear brand Figue. “The article focuses on Liz Lange’s love for entertaining at Grey Gardens and Figue’s beautiful collection of tablecloths. Liz has such exquisite taste and style. After I finished writing it, I thought it would be wonderful to bring the article to life by creating our own celebratory Summer Soirée at Grey Gardens. Hamptons Social partnered with Figue and we were joined by amazing sponsors like Cadillac, Diptyque, Art of Eating, Tequila Enemigo, Talkhouse Encore and Wölffer Estate Vineyard.”

Today, as Hamptons Social showed, Grey Gardens is the definitive and distinctive canvas for a Hamptons Summer Soiree – vibrant and effortlessly elegant. The Hamptons heritage imbued into the now-restored cedar shake estate is unmistakable, and every detail curated by Hamptons Social models the same timeless and iconic qualities.

The gorgeous Georgica estate stands in its original glory, there is a sincerity in the restoration that nods to the past with respect. Looking at the structure, made famous for its 20th-century disrepair, now well-cared for, it is anchoring to know that the Hamptons’ most famous estate is alive again and hosting!

Elevated in Every Sense:

The sponsors and staff were stellar, and every detail made the night even more special. The party was scented by Diptyque’s Figuier candles; Art of Eating was the sensational caterer. The award-winning Tequila Enemigo created signature cocktails themed for Grey Gardens. The wine was sponsored by Wölffer Estate, who always bring the Summer in a Bottle. Talkhouse Encore represented Amagansett as always! Bookending the experience for VIP guests, luxury brand Cadillac offered rides to and from the event and showcased their new all-electric SUV, the LYRIQ. The generous gift bags, wrapped in the iconic Hamptons Social tote bag, were filled with Diptyque candles, Dr. Copeland’s daily SPF moisturizer, Talkhouse Encore, Isaac Boot’s TORCH’D Energy Patches, and RPZL hair accessories by Lisa Richards.

Grey Gardens is its own brand, thanks to the eccentric former owners, and relatives of former First Lady Jackie Onassis, whose unique lifestyle, cats, and headscarves are well-known. Fittingly, the duo are fashion icons in their own right and have inspired fashion designers in the past. The Beales, Big Edie (Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale), and Little Edie (Edith Bouvier Beale) are eternalized by the 1967 documentary “Grey Gardens,” a film starring Drew Barrymore, and, of course, the satirical episode of “Documentary Now!” The Bouvier name was referenced as Marge Simpson’s Maiden name.

Mary Leest, Issac Boots I Photo Credit: Alena Kostromina

Scanning the scene, a fashion show without a runway, instead – sunny chaise lounges, the natural environment highlights the Hamptons Social scene. Everyone was stunning – none more than my beautiful date, of course – but the guest list was a whose-who featuring so many in-demand VIPs, including: Candace Bushnell, David Burtka, Sophie Sumner, Isaac Boots, Consuela Vanderbilt Costin, Pamela Morgan, Teresa Sorkin, Sara Shala, Gabrielle Bluestone, Angela Boyer-Stump, Danielle Franz, Kelsey O-Connor, Denise Carlin, Tanya Willcock, and Temidra Willcock-Morsch, among others. Many guests were dressed in beautiful Figue dresses.

Liz Lang has clearly leaned into the property’s history and enduring cultural footprint. Thankfully, there are homages throughout the home to its history, chiefly, a full potting shed with painted tiles beautifully depicting the Beales and, of course, their cats.

Obviously, I peeked into the gardens, which are anything but grey here at the start of Summer. I suppose Green Gardens doesn’t have the same cachet. The grounds are, well, garden-like, and the sun showers every inch of the chic, manicured estate in brilliant beams of light. I hope to be invited back, so I didn’t try to sneak any photos of the inside but trust me, the interiors are a sublime mid-century modern heaven.

The garden is a great metaphor for the return to prominence of the historic, perennial home. While gardens need attention and love to flower and grow, the soil remains fertile ground, awaiting the consideration cultivation of a gardener. Vines can be trimmed, hedges can be sculpted, flowers can bloom – all that is required are commitment and care. The verdant, lush, and lively Grey Gardens is evidence of East Hamptons’ enduring elegance.